PAGASA: Huaning weakens slightly, continues moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

 News
Jul 112013
 
PAGASA: Huaning weakens slightly, continues moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

Typhoon Huaning (international name Soulik) weakened slightly even as it continued moving toward the Taiwan-Batanes area Thursday night, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 11 p.m. advisory, said Huaning was estimated to be 580 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Huaning packed maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. Batanes remained under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA projects Huaning may be 370 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday evening, and 640 km north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday evening. Meanwhile, PAGASA said Huaning may still bring rainfall of 10 to 46 mm per hour (heavy to torrential) within its 900-km diameter. It warned fishermen, especially those using small seacraft, not to venture out into the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon due to big waves generated by Huaning. — DVM, GMA News

Construction of NAIA Expressway to start in January

 Entertainment
Jul 112013
 

MANILA (Mabuhay) – The government and a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.(SMC) on Monday formally signed a P15-billion concession agreement to construct and operate the airport expressway. The concession agreement was signed by Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and SMC chief financial officer Ferdinand K. Constantino. San Miguel’s Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. is building […]

Comelec denies Muhlach’s petition vs Fuentebella

 Entertainment
Jul 112013
 

MANILA  (Mabuhay) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the petition of actor-turned-politician Aga Muhlach asking to annul the proclamation as elected congressman of 4th District of Camarines Sur of rival, Felix William Fuentebella. In a resolution promulgated on June 20, the Comelec First Division ruled to deny Muhlach’s urgent petition to annul Fuentebella’s […]

PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

 News
Jul 112013
 
PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

Typhoon Soulik enters PAR, codenamed Huaning. Tropical Storm Soulik, visible as a white circular cloud formation in the upper righthand portion of this image, passed into the Philippine Area of Responsibility at around 10am (PHT) on July 10. It has been given the local codename, Huaning. GMA News Typhoon Huaning (Soulik) maintained its strength as it moved toward the Batanes-Taiwan area Thursday afternoon, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Huaning is not likely to make landfall over the Philippines so long as it does not change its present course. “Hindi sya magla-landfall basta ma-maintain ang course,” Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he said Huaning has a diameter of 900 km and may bring heavy rain to parts of Batanes, which is under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA’s 5 p.m. advisory said Huaning has maintained its strength as it moves in the general direction towards the Taiwan-Batanes area. As of 4 p.m., it was estimated at 690 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. Huaning packed maximum winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be 410 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. By Saturday afternoon it is expected to be 540 km north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA said Huaning may bring rainfall of 10 to 46 mm per hour (heavy to torrential) within its 900-km diameter. “Fishermen specially those Read More …

EU earmarks P570 million for PHL justice reform program

 News
Jul 112013
 
EU earmarks P570 million for PHL justice reform program

EU, PHL agree to expand justice reform program. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (left), European Union Ambassdor Guy Ledoux (center), and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas II sign a memorandum of agreement expanding the EU-PHL Justice Reform Program. The EU will support the program with a euro 10 million (P570M) grant. GMA News The European Union has earmarked P570 million or about €10 million to improve the Philippines’ justice system to benefit the poor and disadvantaged people. This was formalized Thursday through the launch of European Union-Philippine Justice Support Programme II (EPJUST-II), the third of similar funding programs by the EU in the country. In his speech, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas highlighted the importance of the financial support from the EU, particularly for poor Filipinos who could not afford the services of lawyers. “With the assistance from the EU, we can address the justice situation in the country. We can help the poor and the voiceless. They would now be given this access and they can better realize their hopes and their rights as citizens of this country,” he said. Aside from giving poor Filipinos access to justice, the funding also seeks to address extra-legal killings and enforced disappearances. For several years, human rights groups have scored the Philippines’ dismal human rights record, particularly during the Arroyo administration when cases of extra-judcial killings soared to more than 1,000. But when President Beningo Aquino III assumed the presidency in 2010, the United Nations noted a significant decrease in reported Read More …

Unseated Marinduque solon accuses SC justice of wielding influence

 News
Jul 112013
 
Unseated Marinduque solon accuses SC justice of wielding influence

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has annulled the proclamation of Regina Ongsiako Reyes as the winning representative of Marinduque province in the May 13 elections. In a 19-page resolution, the Comelec en banc ordered the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) of Marinduque to proclaim Lord Allan Jay Velasco as the winning representative in the province’s lone district. “The May 18 proclamation of the respondent, Regina Ongsiako Reyes, is declared null and void and without any legal force and effect,” the Comelec said. Voting 5-2, the Comelec en banc said Reyes lacked the one-year residency required for an elected official. In March, the Comelec First Division has cancelled her certificate of candidacy on the grounds that she is an American citizen. Reyes, at a press conference, denied that she’s an American citizen. She also accused her rival’s father, Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco, of wielding his influence following a high court ruling favoring Reyes’ earlier disqualification by the Comelec. “I have a copy of my Philippine passport,” she said. “I also have a certificate from the Bureau of Immigration that I used only a Philippine passport in all travels after I renounced my American citizenship.” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, Grace Padaca, and Luie Guia voted to unseat Reyes, while Commissioners Christian Lim and Al Parreño dissented on the grounds that the poll body no longer has jurisdiction over the case since Reyes has been proclaimed by the PBOC. Reyes vs. Velasco Meanwhile, Reyes, during her press Read More …

NBI completes 'rationalization plan'

 News
Jul 112013
 
NBI completes 'rationalization plan'

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has finished a “rationalization plan” to streamline its offices, highlighted by the hiring of almost 70 new agents and investigators in the last two years. On Thursday, Justice Secrtary Leila de Lima said the NBI, which is under the Department of Justice, is still looking for its last batch of recruits this year for positions in the newly formed Forensic Science Division. “The DOJ is done with its major rationalization plans. We continue to fine-tune the implementation and request for the new or revised positions to meet the changing demands of justice work,” De Lima said. “Human resources is the key to any high performance organization,” she added. De Lima said the rationalization plan was designed and conceived in 2005 as a government-wide effort to streamline offices and establish more integrated functions. However, it was only under De Lima’s leadership that “serious efforts were made to push for the plan’s completion.” For his part, NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas said the new recruitment would “motivate us to rethink our policies and assign our best people to the most critical tasks.” Rojas said the NBI would soon be submitting its request for the recruitment of the last batch of new NBI personnel. Another highlight of the rationalization plan are the strengthening of the Investigative Service, the clustered approach to using science and technology in crime fighting, the improved Information and Communications Technology Division, and the deployment of NBI personnel where the need is greatest. — Read More …

Roxas to end 'padrino' culture in PNP with raffle system

 News
Jul 112013
 
Roxas to end 'padrino' culture in PNP with raffle system

(Updating 5 p.m.) A raffle system will soon be implemented for aspiring policemen in an effort to end the “padrino” system in the police force, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Thursday. “Lahat ng kwalipikado ngayon ipapasok ‘yung pangalan nila sa isang tambyolo, at pagpili ay pantay-pantay para sa lahat, hindi na kailangan ng padrino o ng kakilala, hindi na kailangan ng insider na tutulong,” Roxas told reporters in an interview during the launch of the European Union-Philippine Government Justice Support Program in Camp Crame. Roxas, acknowledging the limited entry level slots for policemen, said the new system will discourage potential applicants from looking for powerful backers within the Philippine National Police (PNP), which in turn would break the cycle of corruption within the police force. “Sa ganung paraan ay makakapagsimula ang ating PO1s sa kanilang career na hindi sila gumawa ng panunuhol sa pagiging pulis,” he said. Concrete step No date yet on when the PNP will implement the new system, as its implementing rules have yet to be finalized by the National Police Commission (Napolcom). “Isa ito sa utos sa Napolcom, na i-finalize na ‘yung implementing rules nito at sa darating na mga linggo ay implement na ito,” Roxas said. Roxas described the new system as a “concrete step” toward eliminating corruption in the PNP. Roxas’ statement came at the heels of a latest survey by Berlin-based Transparency International showing 69 percent of Filipinos feel that the PNP is still corrupt. The survey, which was conducted Read More …

Philippines, Venezuela carriers allowed back into EU skies

 News
Jul 102013
 
Philippines, Venezuela carriers allowed back into EU skies

Agence France-Presse 9:16 am | Thursday, July 11th, 2013 BRUSSELS—The European Union on Wednesday allowed carriers Philippines Airlines and Venezuela’s Conviasa back into European airspace on the grounds of improved safety and compliance with EU regulations. The EU executive, the European Commission, removed the two from a blacklist—the EU air safety list—after slapping an operational ban on the Filipino flag-carrier in 2010 and on Conviasa in 2012. The decision to lift the bans was an element of the EU’s updated list which now leaves 280 airlines from 20 states still barred from flying in the EU. “Today we confirmed our willingness to remove countries and airlines from the list if they show real commitment and capacity to implement international safety standards in a sustainable manner,” said the EU’s Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas. Earlier in Manila, EU ambassador Guy Ledoux said Philippines Airlines will be allowed to fly into the 28-member bloc from Friday, which will spur tourism and business links. “This is a tremendous achievement in such a short period of time,” Ledoux said. He added that the EU would conduct further reviews so other Philippine carriers would also be able to fly to Europe as well. “This decision is very encouraging and is the first success of CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and Philippine Airlines,” he told reporters. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your Read More …

Filipinos join protest against closure of popular community college

 News
Jul 102013
 
Filipinos join protest against closure of popular community college

By Vivian Zalvidea AraulloINQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:52 am | Thursday, July 11th, 2013 SF Community College students, employees and supporters rally in front of the US Department of Education against recommendation to shut down the school. SAN FRANCISCO—Hundreds of students, teachers and school employees of the City College of San Francisco (CCSF), including Filipinos, held a rally in front of the US Department of Education, calling for more scrutiny of an accreditation agency that recommended the shutdown of the largest junior community college in the US. “Public good before profit!” chanted protesters, who are fighting to keep the CCSF open, despite a projected financial loss of some $2.5 million next year. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) last week said it would no longer accredit CCSF after July next year. Without accreditation, academic credits from CCSF would not be transferrable to other schools, nor would students be able to obtain federal student loans or grants. The agency cited 14 reasons for stripping CCSF of its accreditation, but “lack of financial accountability, as well as institutional deficiencies in the area of leadership and governance” were the main reasons for its decision. Impact on Filipinos “Mahirap magbayad ng tuition. Mura dito at maganda naman ang mga course (Tuition is expensive. But here it’s cheaper yet the courses are good),” said Filipino immigrant student Michael Reyes, who was at the rally. “Kailangan ito para makahanap ng magandang trabaho (We need this to find good jobs).” Reyes, originally from Quezon City, Read More …

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